WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Katelyn Marak, of Valparaiso, emerged Friday night among 17 girls to win the 52nd annual Miss Porter County Fair competition.
Marak also was named most photogenic. She plans to attend Valparaiso University in the fall. Marak was sponsored by the Porter County Farm Bureau.
Britta Ringas was first runner-up and Miss Congeniality. Ringas, who was sponsored by the Porter County Pet Clinic, is from Chesterton and attends Indiana University.
Claire Sands, who recently graduated from Morgan Township High School, was awarded second runner-up. She was sponsored by the Valparaiso Rotary Club and is planning to attend Indiana University in the fall.
Pageant hosts were Mike Summers and Laura Waluszko of Indiana 105.5 FM, and the county band Ricochet entertained the crowd while the judges made the final Miss Porter County Fair decision.
The girls were judged on interviews, hobby wear, professional wear, evening attire and impromptu questions.
Judges also were looking at the contestant’s poise and posture, stage presence and conversational skills.
Contestants were ages 18 to 20, and many of the girls have been involved in 4-H. The 4-H exhibits and shows were a popular answer when the girls were asked about their favorite part of the fair.
The girls were asked if they could go back and change anything about their lives. Answers ranged from changing nothing to wishing to be playing a musical instrument.
When the girls were asked to describe themselves in three words, many answered with outgoing, compassionate, caring and optimistic.
Marak will represent Porter County at the Indiana State Fair in August.
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